Latch.



D.'H. HARRIS.

LATCH.-

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, I915.

Patented June 20,

l/VVE/VTOR aV/d M'Hmrrw BY IATTORNEYS THE COLUMBIA PLANocRAPIdco WASHINGTON, D. c.

W e a l l DAVID E. HARRIS, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1916.

Application filed June 25, 1915. Serial No. 36,313.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, DAVID H. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in latches.

My improved latch is especially designed by me for use on the double doors of automobiles of the touring or runabout type of body, inclosed by tops in the nature of a superstructure mounted on the body.

The main objects of my invention are: First, to provide an improved latch for double doors disposed one above the other and having independent hinges. Second, to provide an improved coupling for double doors disposed one above the other.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow- I accomplish'the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail side elevation of an automobile body and top embodying the features of my invention. Fig. II is an enlarged detail inside view with the doors closed. Fig. III is a similar detail inside view of the doors open. Fig. IV is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to the broken line H of Fig. II looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In the drawings similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the body of an automobile of the touring type and 2 one of the front doors thereof.

3 represents a top or superstructure having a'door 4t disposed above the door 2. The hinges 5 of the door 4 are somewhat out of alinement with the hinges 5 of the door 2.

The door 2 is provided with a latch having an actuating arm 6 projecting from a slot 7 on the inside of the door. This latch 14: at its inner end.

actuating arm is provided with the usual finger piece 8.

Upon the door 2 I mount a bracket 9. Thls bracket is in the form of an angle adapted to fit over the upper edge of the door, being attached thereto by means of screws 10. The bracket is provided with a bearing 11 for the spindle 12, the spindle being disposed above the upper edge of the door- This spindle is provided with a hand piece 13 at its outer end and with an arm The arm 14 is connected by the link 15 to the latch arm 6. The link is provided with a hole adapted to receive the arm, as shown, and is forked at 16 to embrace the lower end of the arm 14 on the spindle. The arm 14 is slotted at 17 to receive the pin 18.

Above the spindle is a spherical socket 19 for the spherical head 20 of the rod-like coupling member 21.

A coacting tubular coupling member 22 has telescoping engagement with the coupling member 21. The coupling member 22 is carried by a bracket 23 on the upper door. The coupling member 22 is connected to the bracket by the clamp 24 which embraces the bracket 23 permitting its vertical adjustment.

The clamp 24: is swiveled on the bracket 23, the pivot 25 of the swivel being horizontally disposed.

With this arrangement of parts the latch may be operated from either the inside or the outside of the vehicle and the upper door is swung with the lower. The telescoping connecting members for the doors accommodate the variation 1n movement of the 'doors on their hinges. It is not unusual for doors 'of automobiles and like vehicles to swmg downward more or less in opening.

This telescoping engagement of the coupling Iha've'not attempted to illustrate or describe various modifications or adaptations of my improvements which might be desirable in different embodiments as I be lieve thedisclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to embody or adapt the same as conditions may require.

1 I desire to be'understood as claiming my improvements specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly within the scope ,thedoor, a bracket mounted on said lower door to embrace and project above the upper iedge thereof, said bracket having a spindlebearingabove the upper edge of the door and a spherical socket abovethe spin 7 dle bearing, aspindle provided with a hand piece atitsouter end, a slotted arm on the inner end of; said spindle, a link connecting said spindle to said actuating arm'of said latch, said link being connected to said spindle armbya/pin disposed in, said slot thereof, a coupling rod having a, spherical 1 head disposed :in said socket in said bracket,

a; tubular coupling" having telescoping engagementfwith said coupling rod on said bracket, and a supporting bracket for said i tubular coupling rod mounted on the inner L side of the upper door andiprovide'd with a we [horizontally swiveled coupling rod.

clamp, for said tubular 2; In a structure of the class described,

lthe combination of a pair, of independently hinged doors disposedone above the other,

of latch for the lower door comprising an actuatinglarm disposed on the inner side ofthe door,-a bracket mounted on said lower door to embrace and project above the up per. edge thereof, said bracket having a spindle bearing above the upper edge of the door-and a spherical socket above the spindle bearing, a spindle provided with a hand piece at its outerend, an arm on the inner end of sa1d'sp1ndle,a link connectmg'smd spindle .to said actuating arm of 7 said latch,

V a coupling rod having a sphericalhead dis- -posed in said socket in said bracket, a tubularcoupling rod having telescoping engagement with said coupling rod on said bracket,

and 'asupporting bracket forsaid'tubular coupling rod niouhtedbnflthe inner'side of the upper door and provided with a horizontallyswiveled clamp for I said tubular *cou' lin rod. I r

3. In a structure of the classdescribed,

thecombination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, of a latch for the lower door comprising an actuating arm disposed on the inner side of the door, a bracket mounted on said lower door to embrace and project above the upper edge thereof, said bracket having a spindle bearing above the upper edge of the door, a spindle provided with a hand piece at its outer end, a slotted arm on the inner end of said spindle, and a link connecting said spindle to said actuating arm of said latch, said link being connected to said spindle arm by a pin disposed in said slot thereof.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, of a latch for the lower door comprising an actuating arm disposed on the inner side of the door, a bracket mounted on said lower a door and having a spherical socket therein,

a spindle provided with a hand piece at its outer end carried by said bracket, an arm on the inner end of said spindle, a link connecting said spindle to said actuating arm of said latch, a coupling rod having a spherical head disposed in said socket in said bracket, a tubular coupling rod having telescoping engagement with said coupling rod on said bracket, and a supporting bracket for said tubular coupling rod mounted on the inner side of the upper door, said tubular coupling rod being pivotally mounted on said door.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one aboi e the other, of a bracket mounted on said lower door and having a spherical socket therein, a coupling rod having a spherical head disposed in said socket in said bracket, a tubular coupling rod having telescoping engagement with-said coupling rod on said bracket, and a supporting bracket for said tubular cou- V pling rod mounted on the inner side of the upper door, said tubular coupling rod being pivotally mounted on said door.

6.-In a structure'of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above theother, of a latch for the lower door comprising an actuating arm disposed on the inner side of the door, a bracket mounted on said lower door to embrace and project above the upper edge thereof, said bracket having a spindle bearing above the upper edge of the door and a spherical socket above the spindle bearing, a spindle provided with a hand piece at its outer end, an'arm on the inner end of said spindle, a link connecting said spindle to said actuating arm of said latch, a coupling rod having a spherical head disposed in said socket in said bracket, and a coacting coupling rod pivotally mounted on said upper door and having telescoping engagement with said rod mounted on said bracket.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, of a latch for the lower door, a bracket mounted on said lower door, a spindle provided with a hand piece carried by said bracket, an arm on said spindle, a link connecting said spindle to said latch, a coupling member having a universal joint connection to said bracket, and a coupling member having telescoping engagement with said coupling member on said bracket pivotally mounted on the upper door.

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, of a latch for the lower door, a bracket mounted on said lower door, a spindle provided with a hand piece carried by said bracket, an arm on said spindle, a link connecting said spindle to said latch, a coupling member having a universal joint connection to said bracket, and a coacting coupling member pivotally mounted on said upper door and having telescoping engagement with said coupling member mounted on said bracket.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair df independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, of a bracket mounted on the lower door and having a spherical socket therein, a coupling member having a spherical head disposed in said socket in said bracket, and a coacting coupling member pivotally mounted on said upper door and having telescoping engagement with said member mounted on said bracket.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, a latch for one of said doors, a coupling member having a universal joint connection to said door having the latch, and a coacting coupling member associated to telescope therewith and pivotally mounted on the other door.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of independently hinged doors disposed one above the other, a coupling member having a universal joint connection to one door, and a coacting coupling member associated to telescope therewith pivotally mounted on the other door.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID H. HARRIS. [1 8.

Witnesses:

MARGARET L. GLASGOW, MARTHA J. GREGORY.

tflopiea of that patent may be obtained for five eenta each, by addremlng the "Committioner at Watemta,

Wathipmon, D. G." 

